Pull List 2/27/13

Welcome to Pull List and thankfully it's a lighter week this time around so luckily I will be able to pay my rent AND buy groceries for the week. These are obviously happy times and what better way to carry on the good times then with another strong release week for the comic book industry. Shockingly nothing from Image this week (although I've had my eye on Comeback for some time now) but that isn't to say Marvel and DC aren't stepping up with some quality stuff and Darkhorse is getting into the action with one of my favorite ongoing titles a lot of people have yet to hear of. All that being said lets get to this list so I can work on my grocery list for the week (saved up enough where I can get the NAME BRAND cereal this time!)

Hawkeye #8

One of the very best books hitting shelves arrives and after the Hurricane Sandy benefit issue last month it seems Matt Fraction is getting things back on track. With this book though 'getting back on track' just means more adventures in the life of Hawk-guy when he's not being an Avenger and that is a wonderful thing. Also Wonderful? The return of David Aja on art duties!

Not from this issue but I just love this panel

Simply one of the funnest, lightest and most beautiful titles in comics while also being top notch in quality means any self-respecting comic fan should be picking up this book without hesitation and then using it to get others into the medium as it will change what people know about superhero comics.

Punisher: War Zone #5

Greg Rucka has done an amazing job on this Punisher run and although I'm excited to see how this event plays out I'm equally sad this will be his last issue on the character. After everything he's done to get back at the organization that took his partner's family from her, Frank Castle is ready to give himself up in order to spare her the death penalty she received after being found guilty in the murder of NYC police officers.

The most glaring thing about this issue based on the cover is the loss of Frank's uber-tough beard so he must be serious about all of this. Based on the Punisher being a member of the newest Thunderbolts team I have a feeling that will be his "punishment" for everything he is accused of doing but I'm interested to see how everything plays out regardless and if Cole-Alves will be let off the hook because of his sacrifice. This was a truly great run (one I look forward to picking up in Omnibus form down the road should one come out) and although you will have needed to follow this title so far truly appreciate the story being told that should not stop you from picking up past collected editions in order to experience this badass story for yourself.

Uncanny Avengers #4

This book doesn't come out nearly enough. I have loved this series so far and the premise of Red Skull using Charles Xavier's brain in order to bring war to all of the world's mutants has me eagerly waiting to see how the new Havok-led team will cope now that one of their members has been turned against them (judging by the cover can you guess which one?).

Clearly the Skull's power is at extreme levels as even the incredibly strong willed Captain America is questioning his trust in Mutants and the team in general is hanging by a thread (shocking for a Remender written title lol). The first book out of the gate in the Marvel NOW! relaunch has been one of its very best so I'm hoping this one is just great with less of a wait for the next one please!

Uncanny X-Men #2

So Magneto has decided to turn against the mutant revolutionary Cyclops and help SHIELD bring him down for the good of the entire planet. Apparently Scott has lost control over his abilities just as they have grown in power to unheard of levels and seemingly only Magneto has become wise to these developments. How will SHIELD go about using this information to bring down Cyclops and will Magneto's treachery continue to go unnoticed among his group (Emma Frost in particular)? Only one issue in and Bendis is already firing on all cylinders thanks to his fantastic All New X-Men run and this series is definitely shaping up to go hand in hand with that while also showing us how the other side of the Mutant civilization (perhaps the more entertaining side to boot) is proceeding after AvX.

The Massive #9

I recently reread the first eight issues of this series and man, Brian Wood is doing a fantastic job with his newest story. After vividly creating a broken world he has beautifully drafted a team of people that have their own motivations, loves, and dark pasts within that setting and it all feels wonderfully plausible so far. At this point things have never been darker for Callum Israel's Ninth Wave and with the situation continuing to deteriorate it is looking more and more likely that this may be the end of his organization and its search for their sister ship, the Massive. The differences between the three main crew members have never been more obvious and this issue is promising to bring all the tension to a head and potentially change the direction of the series for the rest of its run.

Batman Incorporated #8

Previews are billing this issue as the culmination of everything Grant Morrison has been building towards since the start of the series. Whether that means the beginning of the series when Morrison originally created it or its more recent volume remains to be seen but either way things promise to continue to be explosive on a tale that has not shied away from sharp turns in direction from issue to issue over the course of its existence, especially with the more recent issues.

What is the shadow Bruce and Damian are about to take on and will they ever gain an advantage over Talia? I'm pumped to find out!

Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1

Because taking over the mutant realm of Marvel was not enough, Brian Bendis moves into cosmic territory and begins his run on Guardians of the Galaxy with this 'Point 1' issue. The leader of the team, Star Lord, is the focus of this issue, showing us how he not only became a hero but also how he came to lead a team that includes a rocket-wielding raccoon cleverly named Rocket Raccoon. The series will launch proper next month and with the Guardians of the Galaxy movie on the horizon anyone who wants to get to know these characters before they hit the big screen should pick this book up so they can say they were a fan of the series before it was cool.

Red Lanterns #17

'Wrath of the First Lantern' makes its way into the Red Lantern universe but before Atrocitus can deal with that he wants to take revenge against the Guardians that have inflicted so much pain on him in the past as well as more recently against his Corps. Given what has become of the Guardians now that the First Lantern has escaped I doubt he will get an opportunity to exact that revenge just yet but with Atrocitus you never now what the depths of his rage will make him capable of in any given situation.